Cuomo announces $102.1M economic impact from 2013 PGA Championship

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced that the 95thPGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club had a $102.1 million economic impact on the Rochester region, surpassing initial projections of $78 million. More than 1,800 temporary, full- and part-time jobs were created to support the influx of golf enthusiasts, exceeding preliminary predictions of 1,127 jobs.

“This summer New York played host to a series of international tourism events that generated economic activity and excitement across Upstate,” Cuomo said. “Rochester was put on an international stage with the 95thPGA Championship, which attracted golf fans from around the world and resulted in a tremendous economic boost for the region from tourism spending to jobs. With our recently announced agreement to host the 101stPGA Championship and the 45thRyder Cup at New York’s own Bethpage Black the good news is going to keep on coming.”

Page 2 of 4 - “Oak Hill and Rochester did an incredible job welcoming the PGA Championship this summer and showing all that the Finger Lakes and New York State have to offer,” Lt. Gov. Robert J. Duffy said. “I thank Governor Cuomo for his initiative to support a Taste-NY tent, which further showcased the products our state offers and was one of the highlights at Oak Hill. The $102.1 million economic impact generated by the championship in the region is great news, and I look forward to additional opportunities for Rochester to shine for professional sporting events.”

Greater Rochester Enterprise (GRE), an economic development organization focused on promoting the Greater Rochester region as a competitive place for business location and growth, conducted the economic impact study.

“This positive economic impact is a tribute to the numerous state and local organizations that collaborated to host a premier golf event of this magnitude,” said GRE President & CEO Mark S. Peterson. “The region showed beautifully, and we could not be more thrilled with the tremendous benefits this event generated for our community.”

Approximately 225,000 spectators attended the 95thPGA Championship, whichfeaturedat Taste NY Experience designed to highlight New York’s world-class food and beverages to the event’s international audience. Of those spectators, roughly 70,000 individuals were visiting from at least 100 miles away from Rochester (non-local) – contributing to nearly 5,000 hotel room reservations at an average rate of $600 per stay. In terms of a larger economic impact that originated from outside the Rochester area, non-local ticket-holders spent an estimated $58,218,750 over the course of the Championship, assuming an average daily spending of $345 per spectator (this includes ticket sales, hotel expenses, restaurant spending, transportation costs and merchandise/concessions spending).

Page 3 of 4 - The complete version of the PGA Championship economic impact study is availablehere.

Ryan Cannon, championship director for the 95th PGA Championship, said, “The 2013 PGA Championship proved to be another wonderful chapter in major championship golf for the entire region. The overwhelmingly positive human, charitable and economic impact of the championship are a result the efforts of Oak Hill Country Club, championship volunteers, Monroe County, the City of Rochester, the Town of Pittsford and, ultimately the entire state of New York working to maximize the potential of the season’s final major. We are thrilled with the economic impact results and the 2013 PGA Championship in its entirety.”

State Senator Mike Nozzolio said, “In addition to the tremendous golf, New York State sponsored a ‘Taste NY’ tent that showcased New York's finest wine, food and agriculture products. More than 100 vendors participated and helped to bring a greater awareness of New York State’s growing wine-and-food industry.”

State Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle said, “The 95th PGA championship was a chance to showcase our community as a world-class destination for events of this kind, and now we can see the tangible benefits of aggressively marketing the region. To exceed expectations by such a margin is great news, and it's proof that we can compete and succeed on a national and global scale. I know we are all grateful to the PGA and gratified by this extraordinary outcome.”

Page 4 of 4 - Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks said, “As a home of world-class golf experiences, an incredible service industry, and enthusiastic fans, the 2013 PGA Championship showed the world what we here in Monroe County have to offer. The economic impact generated by the over 225,000 spectators who visited Oak Hill for the 2013 PGA Championship is truly a testament to our community’s successful record of working together to host some of golf’s most time-honored traditions.”

City of Rochester Mayor Thomas Richards said, “These final numbers indicate that the economic impact of the PGA Championship was nothing less than incredible. It’s clear that Rochester is a top destination for sports fans and that bringing the PGA Championship to Rochester was a regional effort that we can all be proud to have participated in.”

Marty Glavin, General Chairman for the 95th PGA Championship, said, “Oak Hill was thrilled with the overall success of the Championship and how positive the support from the entire region was. The cooperation of the entire region provided the golf world with another incredible week in Major Championship golf. Our hope is to continue to attract future international golf Championships to Oak Hill for many years to come.”

Visit Rochester President & CEO Don Jeffries said, “The Rochester area still is seeing the benefit of the worldwide exposure it received from the PGA. We are seeing many people revisit Rochester that came here to see the golf and then discovered what a great destination Rochester and the Finger Lakes are.”